Dr. Wieland continues his long history of leadership and shares what's next for the payvider joint venture.
Given that Allina Health | Aetna is an integrated payer-provider joint venture (JV), having a physician and CMO take the helm may not be surprising—particularly if that person is Dr. Robert Wieland. The physician leader assumed his new role as CEO after an interim appointment that began last November and after more than two decades with Allina Health, before and after its Aetna partnership.
In an interview with HealthLeaders, Wieland discusses how innovation will help move Allina Health | Aetna from startup to growth phase, and with patient and employee experience as a continued priority.
A long history of leadership
Prior to leading the JV, Wieland's Allina Health leadership roles included the organization's ambulatory and network divisions. There, he generated organic growth and practice strength through clinical integration, EHR optimization, and advanced care models. More recently as the health system's chief strategy officer, Wieland led the innovation, digital, and risk models that helped lay the groundwork for the Allina Health | Aetna JV.
Allina Health is a nonprofit health system that includes hospitals and providers across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Allina Health | Aetna is a health plan that links the health system's resources to Aetna's national payer expertise.
In a press release, JV chair and Allina Health CFO Ric Magnuson noted: "We look forward to our next chapter under Bob's leadership and continuing to bring innovative insurance products to market to provide unparalleled care coordination, ease of access, and simplified products to our members."
Pictured: Dr. Robert Wieland is the CEO and CMO of Allina Health I Aetna. Photo courtesy of Allina Health I Aetna.
The excitement of innovation
It's important to note that Wieland is the CEO of a still relatively new health plan. Allina Health | Aetna formed in 2018.
"When I became CMO of Allina Health | Aetna, we started with no members and no revenue," notes Wieland. But that was part of the challenge.
"When you're starting something innovative, it is nothing but curveballs and surprises. That was appealing to me," says Wieland, adding: "Some of the things I'm the most proud of and that have been the most fun have been started from scratch."
After four years as Allina Health | Aetna's CMO—a position he will continue to hold, along with CEO—Wieland seeks to move the JV from "startup to growth and expansion mode" and continue its journey from fee-for-service to fee-for-value. Wieland adds: "A JV structure that's 50/50 like Allina Health | Aetna creates a level of alignment between payer and provider that can accelerate this transition."
In addition to greater trust and transparency, Wieland cites the JV structure as promoting more "co-developed solutions, such as care models and things like hospital at home." He notes that a key focus is how to align around revenue drivers and implement them at scale.
A physician leader improving patient care
Wieland says that as "an early company … membership growth and retention, including measuring member experience” are key objectives. To improve patient experience, he would like other priorities to include automated prior authorization, combined explanation of benefits and billing communications, and more accurate cost estimates for patients.
Wieland thinks these are the differences that patients will see with a physician at the helm. "The advantage of a physician leader is putting clinical and quality first. Providers have first-hand experience with both patient care and payer friction."
What will success look like?
Wieland says he wants those who appointed him and the entire Allina Health | Aetna team to see these differences in action.
"A year from now, I want to be meeting our growth objectives and exceeding the Board's expectations and goals. I also want to continue to focus on maintaining and improving our company's great culture," says Wieland. Highlighting the JV's people and leadership strength, the CEO adds that he wants to "maintain and continue to improve retention and development opportunities."
Health tech predictions
When asked about the proliferation of technology in healthcare, Wieland responds: "I am optimistic and have high expectations for it." He cautions, however, that the technologies that succeed will be those that best integrate with local healthcare ecosystems. "Many of the disruptive technologies are digital point solutions—platforms that help people manage their chronic conditions—that can further fragment care if not integrated. My prediction is that we'll see a massive consolidation of these digital disruption solutions."
“When you're starting something innovative, it is nothing but curveballs and surprises. That was appealing to me.”
Dr. Robert Wieland, CEO, CMO, Allina Health | Aetna
Laura Beerman is a contributing writer for HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Allina Health | Aetna has named CMO Dr. Robert Wieland as its new CEO.
Wieland shares the advantages of physician leadership and what it's like to start a health plan from scratch.
Wieland also identifies his strategic priorities, the effect on patients and employees, and his predictions as health tech proliferates.